Rene Rostaing

Les Lézardes Syrah

9.070 ratings
9.018 pro ratings
Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
Syrah
Lamb
Top Notes For
Brian McMahon

Sales Polaner Selections

9.0

Vineyard: Various parcels from the northern edge of Côte Rôtie, mostly bottom slope. Rene is also using fruit from a Côte Rôtie vineyard in Tupin that he replanted in 2006.
Orientation: South/southeast exposure
Viticulture: Hand harvested, 35 hl/ha
Vinification: Traditional vinification. Maceration of 7-20 days, 50-75% whole cluster barring the event of less than ripe stems.
Aging: Aged in stainless steel tank
Production: 600 cases
RATINGS
Publication: Other
Rating: 90+ JG
The 2011 Les Lézardes from René Rostaing is really a terrific bottle of syrah, which strikes me a bit as a theoretical blend of Côte-Rôtie and Saint Joseph. The wine is deep, pure, and at twelve percent alcohol, bright and vibrant on both the nose and palate. The bouquet is a fine and youthful blend of black raspberries, grilled meat, dark soil tones, pepper and a bit of lavender in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, complex and quite full-bodied, with a great core of fruit, superb focus and balance, a fair bit of ripe tannin and excellent length and grip on the very long and still quite primary finish. Just because this lovely wine does not carry the Côte-Rôtie appellation on the label, do not think that this is an easy-going wine made for early consumption, as this is deep, structured and serious. It has to be one of the great bargains in northern Rhône syrah in the entire world and is very much worthy of adding to the cellar, if one can cross paths with the wine, as only six hundred cases are produced. 2020-2045+. - Jon Gilman

Vineyard: Various parcels from the northern edge of Côte Rôtie, mostly bottom slope. Rene is also using fruit from a Côte Rôtie vineyard in Tupin that he replanted in 2006.
Orientation: South/southeast exposure
Viticulture: Hand harvested, 35 hl/ha
Vinification: Traditional vinification. Maceration of 7-20 days, 50-75% whole cluster barring the event of less than ripe stems.
Aging: Aged in stainless steel tank
Production: 600 cases
RATINGS
Publication: Other
Rating: 90+ JG
The 2011 Les Lézardes from René Rostaing is really a terrific bottle of syrah, which strikes me a bit as a theoretical blend of Côte-Rôtie and Saint Joseph. The wine is deep, pure, and at twelve percent alcohol, bright and vibrant on both the nose and palate. The bouquet is a fine and youthful blend of black raspberries, grilled meat, dark soil tones, pepper and a bit of lavender in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, complex and quite full-bodied, with a great core of fruit, superb focus and balance, a fair bit of ripe tannin and excellent length and grip on the very long and still quite primary finish. Just because this lovely wine does not carry the Côte-Rôtie appellation on the label, do not think that this is an easy-going wine made for early consumption, as this is deep, structured and serious. It has to be one of the great bargains in northern Rhône syrah in the entire world and is very much worthy of adding to the cellar, if one can cross paths with the wine, as only six hundred cases are produced. 2020-2045+. - Jon Gilman

4 people found it helpfulMar 26th, 2015
James McFadyen

Wine Consultant and Allocation Specialist at Spec's

8.9

Nicely developed with tart red fruit backed by saddle leather, earth and sweaty beast. 2004

Nicely developed with tart red fruit backed by saddle leather, earth and sweaty beast. 2004

1 person found it helpfulNov 20th, 2014
Adam Crane

"Everyday drinker" from Rostaing

"Everyday drinker" from Rostaing

Sep 30th, 2016
Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

8.8

👍🏼

👍🏼

May 18th, 2016
James McFadyen

Wine Consultant and Allocation Specialist at Spec's

8.9

Good solid syrah with balanced fruit, acid and tannins. Developing good secondary flavor. Get some if you can. 2005

Good solid syrah with balanced fruit, acid and tannins. Developing good secondary flavor. Get some if you can. 2005

Dec 30th, 2014
Jerry Hindes CS, CSW

Excellent, well structured from a great producer. Sourced fruit from all over Cote d' Rotie.

Excellent, well structured from a great producer. Sourced fruit from all over Cote d' Rotie.

Dec 16th, 2014
S C O T T  S H E L D E N

Very serviceable declassified Syrah from an iconic producer of Cote Rotie gems.

Very serviceable declassified Syrah from an iconic producer of Cote Rotie gems.

Oct 22nd, 2014
Ryan Mullins

North Rhone value

North Rhone value

Dec 28th, 2013
Max Coane

Declassified cote roti. Black pepper. Meat. Cherry gum. Pastrami

Declassified cote roti. Black pepper. Meat. Cherry gum. Pastrami

Oct 20th, 2013
Sara Thomas

Loved this. Great value. Spicy, plummy, black cherry

Loved this. Great value. Spicy, plummy, black cherry

Sep 21st, 2013